After eating and drinking, Xu Jiang packed the portion of meat into a box and asked Lou Yunchun to take it back to Lou Jing and Madam Lou.
"Mother doesn't eat much after dinner, and she's been fasting lately, so there's no need to bring too much."
"It's not much, but it's perfect for Uncle's wine. He's been fasting for a month with Auntie, so he must be feeling a bit itchy. I'll bring some back to satisfy his craving."
Xu Jiang cut a plate of pig ears and a plate of pork belly very thinly. She estimated Lou Jing's appetite and was afraid that it would not be enough.
However, Lou Jingsui and Madam Lou followed a month-long fast and were not allowed to eat too much meat, for fear of being deceived and suffering.
She is always so careful and thoughtful.
After Xu Jiang finished packing the boxes, Lou Yunchun pulled her in front of him, looked at her for a long time, and suddenly a faint blush appeared on his face.
Xu Jiang was somewhat puzzled and asked with a smile, "What happened?"
Lou Yunchun steadied his breath and said slowly, "I have three things to tell you."
"What?" Xu Jiang stared at him curiously.
"First, the Shangshu Ling has approved the review of 'Tracing the Origins of Wenmai'. After the Imperial College prints it, the manuscript and engravings will be stored in the Lanting."
"Really?" Xu Jiang held his hand, shaking it with joy. Then she asked, "When will it be printed? Can I go and see it?"
"This is the second thing I want to tell you. I informed His Majesty of your discovery of the siltation of the Leyou River. His Majesty, in gratitude for your contribution, has granted you a favor."
"What grace?" Xu Jiang widened his eyes.
"Your Majesty has approved the placement of your bookshop under the supervision of the Imperial Academy. You will also be removed from your merchant status and become an official household, concurrently serving as an official engraver."
Lou Yunchun said softly, "You can go to the Imperial College and print 'The Origin of Wenmai' yourself. And from now on, any book you want to publish, as long as it passes the Imperial College's review, can be published under the Imperial College's name. If it fails to pass the review, you can still report to the government office and obtain approval to print it under the name of Zhanchun Bookstore."
Xu Jiang felt as if a golden avenue was stretching straight to her feet. She was so happy that she threw herself into Lou Yunchun's arms, laughing and jumping.
Lou Yunchun hugged Xu Jiang, his cheeks growing hotter. He held her waist and whispered, "One last thing."
Hearing this, Xu Jiang's heart started pounding. "What is it?"
Lou Yunchun took a deep breath, stared into her clear eyes, and said word by word: "We can get married."
"Get married?"
"Would you like to?"
"I..." Xu Jiang was a little dazed by the good news that came one after another.
The heat from Lou Yunchun's palms seeped through her thin shirt and soaked into her body. She felt a burning sensation all over her body and stammered, "We're getting married right now?"
Seeing Lou Yunchun staring at him intently, waiting for a reply with eyes full of expectation, he couldn't control his mouth at all, "Well, it's not impossible..."
Before she could finish her words, her body lightened, and then the whole world began to spin with her. Lou Yunchun's undisguised ecstasy enveloped her, calming her panic and causing her to burst into laughter.
"Ouch, I feel dizzy, put me down quickly."
"I didn't turn."
Lou Yunchun placed her on the wooden couch, then squatted in front of her and said, "If you've promised me, you can't go back on your word. Once the transfer documents come in, I'll have my mother propose marriage."
"Wait, wait." Xu Jiang regained some clarity from his disorientation. "I need to inform an important person first."
Lou Yunchun was stunned for a moment, then reacted, "Master Lin?" He nodded and said, "Okay, on my day off, my father and I will formally visit him at Nanshan Academy and seek his consent."
"Yes." Xu Jiang had promised Master Lin that their marriage would be approved by him. Now that her master was gone, she was alone in the capital. Master Lin was her elder, accepting the elder's etiquette and performing the duties of an elder on her master's behalf.
"There's another thing. Although Master Lin doesn't care, we still have to be careful. My aunt's death hasn't been completed for a year yet, so the wedding can't be scheduled during the mourning period."
The laws of the Dasheng Dynasty stipulated that a wife must observe mourning for one year after her husband's death. Even if she was not observing mourning for Master Lin, she could not ignore it because of Madam Lin's kindness towards her.
Lou Yunchun nodded, "I know, let's get engaged first and then set a date later."
Xu Jiang teased him, "You're so anxious, are you afraid that I'll run away?"
Lou Yunchun looked around. This small bookshop was Xu Jiang's home and the embodiment of her heart. Everything about her was here. "I just want to truly belong here."
"What nonsense!" Xu Jiang took his hand and touched the corner of the wooden couch. "You've belonged here for a long time."
There were two words engraved in the corner: Zhao Yue.
Carved by Xu Jiang herself.
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